Covidien names new group president

Covidien has announced the promotion of Bryan Hanson to the newly-created position of group president, with global responsibility for all of the company's business segments.

Mr Hanson, who currently serves as group president for medical devices and US operations for Covidien, will take up his new role on October 1st 2014. He has been with the firm since 1992 in a variety of different positions.

The new group president has overseen the company's surgical solutions, vascular therapies and respiratory and monitoring solutions business units, as well as its health systems organisation, since October 2013.

He recently took charge of the company's emerging markets business and will add responsibility for its developed markets and medical supplies units when his new appointment becomes effective.

Jose Almeida, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Covidien, said: "Bryan is a proven global leader who has deep experience in our industry and will help advance our company in delivering new value, products and capabilities to our customers and patients around the world."

Covidien recently agreed to a multi-billion-dollar deal that will see it acquired by Medtronic, thus creating one of the world's largest medical technology and services businesses.